Youth access to and use of resources in vegetable farming in Kakamega Town, Kenya

Abstract

This paper investigates the level of access to and use of farming resources by youth engaging in vegetable production in Kakamega Town, Kenya. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and interviews from youth vegetable farmers and key resource persons. Results reveal that youth obtained land through negotiation, inheriting, borrowing, hiring and buying. Water used for vegetable irrigation was obtained from water kiosks, piped borne water, streams, recycled waste water and boreholes. Financial assets and farming inputs were accessed from personal savings, parents, siblings, friends, neighbours and local authorities. Parents, siblings, children, neighbours, friends, relatives and hired workers provided farm labour. Agricultural information was sought from agricultural offices, agricultural shows, research institutes, family members and neighbours. The use of farm resources were influenced by the means of acquiring the resource, distance from the sources, ability to pay, the scale of production, family headship and various stakeholders and institutions. This paper proposes that access to farming resources by youth should be enhanced by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with other key actors.